Yes, there are lines on a court, but they aren't there to exclude anyone, regardless of disability.
Adaptive Tennis
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Please Tell Us About Your Program!
The USTA Missouri Valley Adaptive Tennis' mission is to promote and develop adaptive recreational tennis programs for those individuals with differing abilities. Through associated organizations, the 17 USTA sections and staff, 72 local and community programs, and the USTA National Office in White Plains, N.Y., Adaptive Tennis is poised to carry out its mission. Learn More!
Learn more about Wheelchair Tennis!
Adaptive Tennis recognizes four main categories of disabilities:
1) Developmentally disabled (learning disabilities, autism, Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities)
2) Physically disabled (birth defects, multiple sclerosis, traumatic brain injury, muscular dystrophy, hearing impaired, stroke, etc.)
3) Consumers of mental health services (psychiatrically disabled, emotionally disturbed)
4) At risk/environmentally disabled (substance abusers, mentally and physically abused, homeless, HIV positive individuals, persons within the juvenile justice system, etc.)
For each of these groups, USTA Missouri Valley Adaptive Tennis supports adaptive tennis programs, providing grant money, equipment and resources for specifically-tailored programs that provide fun, fitness and a positive social experience for participants. Regional clinics and instructional programs are held throughout the country, often in conjunction with agencies devoted to serving special populations within the respective communities. The enjoyment, physical well-being and contact shared by participants have proven to be positive sources of self-esteem, helping open doors to a more positive lifestyle.
Resource for Teaching Tennis to Those with Disabilities
If you are in need of suggestions on how to work with certain populations, sample lesson plans, tennis games, contacts for equipment and dynamic & static stretching, then review the USTA’s Manual for Teaching Adaptive Tennis. The Manual is now in Spanish! (The speed of your internet connection may impact download time of these PDF files. The English version of the manual is 74 pages. The Spanish version is 77 pages.)
For more information on programs taking place in your local area contact Fred Johnson, USTA Missouri Valley Diversity Manager, at 913-322-4828 or johnson@movalley.usta.com